Welcome to "Close The MRGO," a website dedicated to removing the environmental scourge that has caused death and destruction to St. Bernard Parish and the lower Ninth Ward in New Orleans.

The Mississippi River Gulf Outlet, commonly known by its acronym MRGO or the "Mister Go," was constructed in the mid-fifties to allow commercial sea vessels a quick, straight path to the Port of New Orleans. Instead of being an economic boon to St. Bernard, the shipping channel has brought salt water intrusion that eradicated the parish's once lush swampland and acres of cypress trees and has served as an expressway for storm surges that have rushed up the MRGO, dumping water into a residential area that was once inhabited by 100,000 people.

Though the destructive nature of the MRGO was exhibited during Hurricane Betsy, its constribution to the near total destruction of St. Bernard Parish and lower income areas of New Orleans will hopefully result in the MRGO's closure.

Information regarding the MRGO, including its potential reopening, scientific data pertaining its impact on the area, and other relevant articles, will be posted on this site on a regular basis.

To reach the author, please e-mail MikeBayham@yahoo.com  ¶ 2:58 PM 0 comments